Minced Pork Egg Custard with Tofu
"The single character bào ("to embrace") brings this dish to vivid life. Savory eggs and minced meat wrap around silky, tender tofu, just like a loving mother holding her young child close. This steamed minced meat and egg tofu dish is nutritionally balanced, with a perfect pairing of meat and tofu. It’s smooth, tender, and savory, melting in your mouth, and suitable for diners of all ages."
Ingredients
soft tofu
1 large piece
eggs
3
ground pork
250g
ginger
1 small piece
scallions
5
garlic
5 cloves
cooking wine
1 teaspoon
light soy sauce
2 teaspoons
oyster sauce
1 teaspoon
cooking oil
as needed
soybean paste
1 teaspoon
chili sauce
1 teaspoon
Thai chilies
2
green chili pepper
1
starch
1 teaspoon
Instructions
1
Step 1
Cut the tofu into large thin slices, soak in salt water for about 10 minutes, remove and drain the water, then arrange in a deep plate.
2
Step 2
Add cooking wine, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cooking oil to the ground pork, stir well in one direction, and set aside.
3
Step 3
Wash and finely chop the ginger, scallions, garlic, Thai chilies, and green chili pepper; set aside.
4
Step 4
Crack the eggs into a bowl, beat with a hand whisk, add warm water at 50°C (egg to water ratio 1:1.5–2), beat well, stir evenly, and strain (for a smoother texture).
5
Step 5
Pour the egg mixture over the tofu.
6
Step 6
Place in a steamer, cover the steaming bowl with a plate to prevent water droplets from falling onto the tofu and affecting the appearance. Steam over medium heat for about 15 minutes.
7
Step 7
Heat oil in a wok, add ginger, scallions, and garlic; stir-fry until fragrant, then add soybean paste and chili sauce, and stir-fry until the oil turns red.
8
Step 8
Add the ground pork and stir-fry until it changes color.
9
Step 9
Add the Thai chilies and green chili pepper, stir-fry briefly, then add the cornstarch slurry (about half a bowl of water + 1 teaspoon of cornstarch) to thicken the sauce slightly.
10
Step 10
Pour the stir-fried minced pork with the sauce over the steamed egg and tofu custard, sprinkle with chopped scallions, and serve.
11
Step 11
A balanced dish of meat and vegetables—silky, tender, and savory.
